Bustamante attends first Santa Ana council meeting since arrest

Santa Ana City Councilman Carlos Bustamante, right, attended the Sept. 4 meeting of the City Council, the first time he had attended an open session since his arrest July 2, 2012 in connection with a series of sex-related charges. To the left is Mayor Miguel Pulido.RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SANTA ANA – City Councilman Carlos Bustamante attended Tuesday's open session of the Santa Ana City Council, the first time since his July arrest on a series of sex-related charges.

Bustamante declined to comment on his appearance. Several of his colleagues had called out for his resignation, but none spoke to that issue Tuesday.

The meeting also marked the first time since the arrest that all seven members were present. Bustamante's absence, combined with the declared conflicts of interest of three council members, had left the council unable to assemble a quorum on one of the key issues it has faced this summer – the fate of a controversial downtown improvement district.

During council comments at the end of the meeting, Councilwoman Michele Martinez thanked Bustamante for his attendance.

"I would first like to thank Councilmember Bustamante for coming to our council meeting and addressing business at hand," she said. "I really appreciate your attendance."

After the meeting, Bustamante rushed out to the city parking garage without comment.

"I would say I'm glad he came to do his job," said Councilman Sal Tinajero.

"It was good to have a council quorum," said Councilman David Benavides, "to help do the council's business."

Bustamante, a former executive at OC Public Works, resigned from the county last October in the wake of accusations that he had engaged in sexual abuse of women who worked for him. Following his July 2 arrest, he pleaded not guilty to 12 felonies and four misdemeanors. He is free on bail, and is not seeking re-election to his Ward 3 seat. He attended a closed session of the council in early August.

In council comments, he noted the beginning of the school year, and urged drivers to allow more time in the morning and to look out for school children.

He also noted the recent death of astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.

"He was one of our true heroes," Bustamante said. "Very humble person. He never cashed in on the fact that he was the first man to walk on the moon. So I'd ask that we adjourn in his honor."

Santa Ana City Councilman Carlos Bustamante, right, attended the Sept. 4 meeting of the City Council, the first time he had attended an open session since his arrest July 2, 2012 in connection with a series of sex-related charges. To the left is Mayor Miguel Pulido. RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Carlos Bustamante during a July court appearance. He was absent from most City Council meetings following his July 2 arrest, but appeared for the closed session in early August and for the entire meeting Sept. 4. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Santa Ana City Councilman Carlos Bustamante, right, attended the Sept. 4 meeting of the City Council, the first time he had attended an open session since his arrest July 2, 2012 in connection with a series of sex-related charges. He requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of the late astronaut Neil Armstrong. RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Santa Ana City Councilman Carlos Bustamante, right, listens during a portion of the Sept. 4 meeting of the City Council, the first time he had attended an open session since his arrest July 2, 2012 in connection with a series of sex-related charges. He is not seeking re-election to his Ward 3 seat. At left is Mayor Miguel Pulido. RON GONZALES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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